Seat-controlled valve-operating mechanism for water-closets.



' No. 660,977. I Patented But. 30, I900.

w. TAYLOR. SEAT CONTROLLED VALVE OPEBATINGMEGHANISM FOR WATER CLOSETS.

\ (Application, filed Jan. 29, 1900.)

(No Model.)

752/ rel zziar CUJ/h a/rn/ 7 w I01" UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIC WILLIAM TAYLQR, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE IDEAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. I

SEAT-CONTROLLED VALVE-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR WATER-CLOSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 660,977, dated October 30, 1900.

Application filed January 29, 1900. Serial No. 3,205. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LWILLIAM TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seat-Controlled Valve- Operating Mechanism for Water-Closets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to water-closets, and more particularly to the construction of the seat-actuated mechanism for operating the valve controlling the water-supply.

The invention consistsin the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as hereinafter describedand claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a closet to which my improvements are applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3- is a section on line 00 m, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the sections composing the shell of the counterweight. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan illustrating the manner of securing in position the stop forthe counterweighted arm.

A is the bowl of the closet; B, the seat, hinged thereto; C, the water-supply pipe, and D the valve-casing, containing suitable mechanism for timing and controlling the watersupply, which, however, forms no part of my present invention.

E is a stem extending out from the casing D, and F is a rock-arm adapted when rocked in one direction to start the mechanism containing the casing D in operation.

The seat B is hinged to the bowl-crock by means of lugs or pins G, the shanks of which pass through flanges H, formed integral with the crock, and are secured by the nuts I beneath said flanges.

J indicates brackets or arms secured to the seat and extending rearward therefrom and pivoted at K to the lugs G.

The parts thus far described are all of usual and known construction and form no part of my invention.

It is the special object of my invention to adapt the mechanism for operating the controlling-valve so that it may be applied to closets varying in construction and proportion and also the obtaining of a construction which may be-arranged to operate in a limited space. In the construction of closets of this type the distance between the bowl and the position of the valve-casing on the crock varies according to the particular style or de-' sign of said crock. In constructing mecham ism for operating the valve it is therefore necessary to provide adjustments which will bring the cooperating parts in proper relation. To accomplish this, I provide one of the brackets or arms J, extending rearward from the seat, with a rearward extension or shank L, to which is secured an adjustable extension M. The latter is preferably bifurcated to embrace a counterweight N and is provided with a bearing-face a, on which an antifriction-roll b, secured to the rock-arm F, is adaptedto rest. Theshank L is preferably of a wedge-shaped cross-section, as shown in Fig. 3, while the extension Mis longitudinally split on its under side and provided with clamping-bolts c, by means of which it maybe firmly secured in any position of adjustment on the shank L. The counterweight N is preferably of an ovoidal form and is eccentrically pivoted between the bifurcated extensions of the member M. This counterweight is preferably of the following constructicac cland d are two complementary shells, preferably formed of brass or some other non-corrosive metal. The shell d is provided with a flange 6, adapted to fit over the edge of the shell (1, andfis a bolt passing through eccentric apertures g in the shells d and d and serving both to hold said shells in engagement with each other and forming the pivot for connecting the wedge to the bifurcated member M. To complete the weight, a soft metal of great specific gravity, such as lead, is cast into the shell. Thus the weight when completed is of smaller bulk than one of the same weight formed of cast-iron. Moreover, as the shell is formed of the non-corrodible metal it may be nickel-plated without danger of corroding, while with an iron weight thus finished and exposed to the damp atmosphere the plating would soon be destroyed. I preferably provide a stop or bumper 0, against which the arm L will strike when the seat is raised by the counterweight N and which will prevent said counterweight from striking againstthe bowl. This stop I secure to the shank of the hinged lug G beneath the flange H, and to prevent any concussion due to the striking of the arm M against the stop Ipreferably provide an elastic bumper P, which is secured to said lug and bears against the bowl.

The parts being constructed as shown and described, in fitting up a closet with my attachment after the valve-casing D and seat have been secured in position the member M may be engaged with the extension L and ad justed thereon into a position where the seat will be properly counterbalanced and where the antifriction-rolls b in the arm F will engage with the bearing a on the arm M. The bolts 0 are then tightened and will clamp the two members securely together. When thus adjusted, the depression of the seat B will cause the lifting or rocking upward of the arm F, which in turn will operate the valve, and whenever the seat is released the counterweight N will serve to raise it. As the counterweight N is pivoted eccentrically, it is free to turn upon its pivot as the arm M descends, so that its long diameter always remains in a vertical line. This will permit the weight to come closer to the bowl without danger of striking the same and also equalize the initial and final speed at which the seat travels. The lug O, as before described, serves to stop the arm M and prevent the weight from striking the bowl.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a seat controlled valve.- operating mechanism, the combination with a bifurcated arm extending rearward from the seat of a counterweight for the seat comprising a two-part shell, a pin passing through said shell securing said sections together and pivoting the same to the arm, and a soft-metal core cast within said shell.

2. In a seat-controlled valveoperating mechanism for water-closets, the combination with a bifurcated arm extending rearward from the seat, of a counterweight for the seat comprising a two-part shell formed of a noncorrodible metal (such as brass) a pin passing through said shell securing said sections together and pivoting the same to said arm between the bifurcations thereof and a core of soft metal of greater specific gravity, cast within said shell.

3. In a seat-controlled valve operating mechanism for water-closets, the combination of acounterweighted arm extending rearward from the seat, a lug or post to which said arm is hinged having a d'ownwardlyextending threaded shank, a flange on the bowl or crock through which said shank passes and a stoparm secured to said threaded shank and extending into the path of said counterweighted arm.

4. In a seat-controlled valve operating mechanism for wat er-closets, the combination with a counterweighted arm extending rearward from said seat a lug or post to which said arm is hinged having a downwardly-extending threaded shank and a flange on the bowl or crock through which said shank passes, of an arm or stop sleeved upon said shank and extending into the path of said counterweighted arm, an elastic bumper secured to said stop and bearing against the bowl or crock and a nut engaging said threaded shank for clamping said stop and lug or post to said flange.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM TAYLOR. Witnesses:

WM. COOHRANE, PETER E. MCDONALD. 

